Tag Archives: fashion and tokyo ladies

Tokyo and Osaka fashion: H&M to introduce Monki and Weekday to Japan in the future

Kanako Itamae and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

The fashion company Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) is going from strength to strength in Japan. This reality means that H&M will introduce two of their brands to Japan within the near future. Currently, it is perceived that the brands Monki and Weekday will be introduced to Japan in early 2014 but this date could feasibly be moved forward.

H&M in 2012 decided on opening up new stores in Japan and this most notably applies to Nagoya. After all, in Tokyo and other parts of Kanto the brand H&M is part of the fashion landscape for many fashion lovers. The other major city which was targeted by H&M was Osaka. However, it is hoped that in the future that this company will further consolidate in other parts of Kansai because of the vibrancy of the entire region.

The vibrancy of fashion in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka is simply amazing. This applies to the intriguing variations of fashion within Tokyo and Osaka respectively. It is more than likely that Monki and Weekday will follow the Tokyo and Osaka route.

Fashion in Japan is an extremely vibrant sector and clearly H&M is raking in the rewards. Sales throughout the first nine months of 2012 in Japan remain vibrant, despite the negative global economy. This reality means that H&M is extremely positive about the future of this company in Japan. Therefore, it is believed that not only will Monki and Weekday enhance the reputation of H&M in Japan; but equally important, this new initiative will preserve the reputation of H&M because both brands will bring a new freshness.

On the following link (http://www.adbrands.net) many fine attributes are stated about H&M. The above highlighted website comments that “H&M is one of Europe’s two leading clothing brands, seemingly immune from the woes than have plagued many other retailers, not least US rival Gap. One key selling point has been an annual collaboration with different star designers.”

In many fashion surveys in Tokyo the name H&M featured highly with regards to ladies who adore the richness of amazing boutiques. Therefore, if the past is to be relied on, it would appear that Monki and Weekday will further enhance H&M in Japan.

Mulberry in 2011 continues to flourish despite the global recession which hit so many nations. Recent figures released state that sales are up by 44% and this British designed label company is now going to focus more on the Japanese market. Therefore, a partnership was announced with Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings whereby Mulberry hopes to penetrate the Japanese market.

Timothy Schepis (http://twitter.com/tokyofashndaily)comments on Tokyo Fashion Daily that “Through a joint venture that has been in discussions for years Mulberry has agreed to partner with Isetan Mitsukoshi department store for their entry into Japan. The joint venture itself will be a joint ownership between Mammina, a subsidiary of Isetan Mitsukoshi and Club 21.”

“Over the next ten years Isetan Mitsukoshi will open Mulberry shop-in-shops and eventually Mulberry stand alone stores beginning with flagships in Tokyo and Osaka.”

The reputation of Mulberry continues to bloom and according to internal sources it is expected that sales outside of the United Kingdom will be surpassed by sales in other nations within two years. In the past Mulberry did target Japan but the competitive nature of the Japanese market alongside unique business mechanisms, meant that growth was not so high. Therefore, by agreeing terms with a powerful department store in Japan it is clear that Mulberry is serious about developing sales in the Japanese market.

Recent growth is down to many factors but one outstanding fact is the role of Emma Hill because since she became the creative director, then sales and new ideas have worked swimmingly. The autumn/winter collection was in huge demand in both the United Kingdom and internationally and clearly this company is utilizing its rich history and unique style.

John Fox-Clinch in Bristol Business News comments that “While the firm, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has in the past run its own store in Japan, it has not made the kind of strides in the country it has achieved in other parts of South East Asia and the Middle East by working with distributors and retailers.”

“The Japanese expansion will be made with a joint venture vehicle owned by Mulberry’s existing Asia Pacific distributor Club 21 and Mammina Co, a unit of Japanese department store chain Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings (IMH).”

“Under the agreement IMH, one of the largest department store chains in Japan, is to make ‘shops-in-shops’ space available to Mulberry including its new flagship stores in Tokyo and Osaka ‘on a progressive basis’.”

Mulberry is also going to focus on Australia and Vietnam and clearly this company understands the importance of Asia. However, China and Japan will be the backbone of overall expansion and fashion districts in Tokyo and Osaka provide huge potential.

Godfrey Davis who is the chairman of Mulberry and chief executive outlined the importance of China and Japan. He commented that “The Asia Pacific region represents a significant growth opportunity for the Mulberry brand and these two agreements lay the foundations for an accelerated penetration of the region, especially China and Japan.”

In the short-term, it would appear that “the apple pie” in Tokyo and Osaka is the real potential because other British companies of luxury goods have found the Chinese market taxing. However, Burberry is doing well in China but other companies have been more mixed. Also, despite the mainly negative growth of the Japanese economy since the early 1990s, it is factual that luxury products are still in huge demand. Therefore, the Japanese market, despite many complexities, is much more stable for luxury items and fashion conscious individuals in Tokyo, Osaka, and all over Japan, value luxury fashion brands.

The beauty of “le style Anglais” is that Mulberry focuses heavily on its British identity and local workers are given opportunities. Given this fact, the image of Mulberry is respected because of the business ethics of this company at the local level.

Markets in Tokyo and Osaka are complex and clearly you have huge competition but “le style Anglais” is also unique in itself. Therefore, the next few years will be very fascinating for Mulberry in Japan because now this company is focused more seriously on growing in this nation.

Tokyo fashion and gardens: Rikugien, Kyu-Furukawa and fashion in Omotesando

Sarah Deschamps and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The beauty of Tokyo is that this mega-modern city caters for various lifestyles and areas change quickly. If you adore fashion then Tokyo is an amazing city because you have a plethora of choices. Therefore, each fashion district is buzzing for different reasons and on the opposite side of the coin you have many lovely gardens to relax and enjoy stunning nature.

Omotesando is famous for high-end fashion because you have so many fabulous companies to visit. This applies to international boutiques and Japanese boutiques. Also, the closeness to Aoyama, Harajuku and Shibuya means that this fashion area is one of the most dynamic in the world. This isn’t an overstatement, it is based on facts and the same applies to the diversity of fashion.

Therefore, in Omotesando you are on the edge of so many different styles. This applies to exquisite and elegant fashion, kawaii trends, street styles, Lolita fashion, Dolly Kei, Vintage fashion, mainstream, and a host of other styles. Also, the age range changes quickly and this all adds to a fantastic buzz and natural energy.

Grimoire is on the border of Harajuku and Shibuya and this company is extremely unique and vibrant. The same applies to many other companies like 6% DOKIDOKI and the talented designer Sebastian Masuda. Therefore, with companies like Grimoire, Candy, and 6%DOKIDOKI (Harajuku), you can feel a lovely individualistic style and other amazing boutiques have created a lovely buzz and vibrant spirit.

If you love more mainstream fashion and elegant designs by top notch boutiques then a visit to Omotesando Hills is a real treat. Inside this building of stunning architecture you have countless international and Japanese boutiques which are sublime.

Therefore, if you love fashion then “think” Omotesando, Harajuku, Aoyama and Shibuya. Of course you have many fantastic fashion districts in Tokyo but this collective area is difficult to beat in any nation. After all, you can travel between each area on foot and the different trends and styles are amazing.

On the opposite side of the fashion coin in Tokyo are the many gardens which grace this amazing city. If you want a lovely contrast between vibrant and buzzing Tokyo with a more sedate and tranquil area, then Komagome is well worth visiting. This applies to lovely gardens and many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to visit alongside shops which focus on antiques and other products.

It is difficult to imagine than Komagome is so close to Ikebukuro with all its trendy fashion in yet another fashion district in Tokyo. Alternatively, it is also difficult to believe that Komagome is so close to Ueno which is blessed with so many museums and tourist places to visit. Also, fashion in Ueno is electric but in its own distinctive style and you have a more Northeast Asia feel about Ueno than the usual Tokyo vibe.

Yet in Komagome you can enjoy the stunning gardens of Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa which is in the same area. Both gardens are kept beautiful all year round and the main walkways provide glimpses into the ethics of Japanese gardens. Therefore, space, time, views, emotions, minimalism, and other elements, fuse naturally with aspects of Confucianism, Buddhism and Shintoism.

A real added bonus in Rikugien is that you can sit down and drink traditional Japanese tea and eat delicious Japanese sweets. At the same time, the view is amazing and you can look out and gaze at the stunning pond and see nature in all its beauty.

The pond in both gardens is the central theme but if you desire you can walk around more secluded areas. Komagome is extremely rewarding because of the therapeutic nature of both gardens. Therefore, if you want to escape the buzzing fashion districts of Tokyo or to enjoy the best of both worlds, then a visit to Komagome is essential.

The shopping district in Komagome is only small but you will find folk art stores, antiques, traditional Japanese sweets, Japanese dyed garments, ceramics, independent shops and so much more. Also, if you search around you will feel the sedate and tranquil nature of this part of Tokyo and another world will open up to you.

Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a little more natural despite the garden being well kept and while Rikugien Garden is the more famous garden, both gardens enrich each other. Not only this, the architecture of the Josiah Condor (1852-1920) Western-style residence in the Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a lovely bonus. Therefore, this building alongside the rose garden provides a lovely British and Japanese theme.

Overall, Omotesando and Komagome may seem like chalk and cheese however, this is what makes Tokyo so special. Therefore, a visit to both places will make Tokyo come alive and Tokyoites and tourists gain from both amazing places.

Aoyama fashion is famous in Tokyo because you have so many exquisite boutiques in this very exclusive area. The fashion boutiques are a splendid mixture of American, European, and Japanese fashion, and the various mosaic within European fashion means that you have lovely contrasts and an abundance of choice.

The architecture of some of the shopping malls and major fashion houses also adds to the spice. This applies to ultra-modern buildings and the occasional touch of classical styles and this rich blend is visually appealing and creates a feeling of sophistication.

Aoyama is part of the rich vein of exquisite fashion which covers this non-stop zone of lovely boutiques. This applies to Aoyama, Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya whereby you leave one fashion zone and enter another. Not only this, the diversity and age groups which each area caters for and the back streets of Harajuku, Omotesando and before entering central Shibuya proper, is amazing.

Therefore, it is very rewarding for people who adore fashion to browse around and soak up the environment and come across new fashion outlets. The entire fashion zone in the backstreets is awash with creative fashion, riskier boutique styles, street vibes and American influences, independent boutiques and the buzz this creates is truly unique.

In a recent article by Modern Tokyo Times the attention was on the elegant Omotesando Hills shopping complex and the quality boutiques and other shops in this exquisite mall. In Aoyama you have trendy and sophisticated stores which include Boutique W, Dress Camp, Flair Aoyama, Loveless and other exclusive shopping stores.

Cibone is another very trendy shopping mall which caters for futuristic furniture, clothing, dinnerware, restaurants, electrical appliances based on innovation, and so much more. The store is a magnet for fashion conscious individuals and the concept is challenging but richly rewarding.

Famous stars also love Aoyama fashion and Comme des Garcons fashion is internationally famous just like countless other fashion companies in Aoyama. The list of famous people who adore Comme des Garcons include Kanye West, Vincent Ng, John Waters, Chloe Sevigny, Mary Kate Olsen, Leila Aldik, Matt Bellamy, Tilda Swinton Justin Bieber, Selma Blair, and many others.

Aoyoma fashion is clearly debonair, sophisticated, international, and chic beyond your wildest dreams. The entire area is uplifting and the architecture and fashion displays are delightful. Therefore, if fashion is in your veins and you want to see sublime Japanese and international fashion, then Aoyama is a district that you must visit to see the latest trends and exquisite fashion styles.

Tokyo fashion: pulling power of fashion in this dynamic city of creativity

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

6%DOKIDOKI

Tokyo is one of the most powerful cities in the world and the fashion scene continues to flourish and grow. Also, the international appeal of Tokyo is making major waves because more and more international musicians desire to be linked to this ultra-modern city.

At the same time animation, kawaii culture, cosplay, and a host of other vibrant areas, are rebranding the image of Tokyo because many young people from all over the world are connecting with the “soft power” of Japan. Therefore, Tokyo and other major cities like Osaka are helping to create “a hip Japan” which appeals to the younger generation.

However, despite the ultra-modern reality of Tokyo and other powerful cities the “old Japan” still survives. Therefore, places like Hakone, Koyasan, Kyoto, Nikko, and a host of other famous places, means that Japan provides something special because of multiple factors and the appeal applies to all generations.

When it comes to fashion then Tokyo is second to none when it applies to choice, exquisite quality, individualism, mainstream fashion and creativity. Therefore, all major international fashion houses want a slice of the Tokyo “apple pie” and this applies to other powerful cities like Osaka.

Clearly Milan, Paris, New York and London are internationally famous but the same also applies to Tokyo. However, the beauty of fashion in Tokyo is that indigenous fashion companies and international companies are based throughout the city.

Therefore, you are spoilt for choice and this applies to major fashion districts like Aoyama, Harajuku, Omotesando, Ginza, Shibuya Shinjuku, Roppongi Hills and other fashion districts like Ikebukuro and Ebisu. Alternatively, you have an abundance of fashion in smaller districts of Tokyo and Daikanyama, Kichijoji, Jiyugaoka, Nakano, Shimo Kitazawa, Naka Meguro and other places provide a more distinctive vibe and each area appeals for different factors. This, therefore, makes Tokyo unique because you have countless areas to visit and other parts of Tokyo like Ueno have their own distinctive feel and energy.

This reality is attracting major musicians to Tokyo and further afield in Japan. Michael Graham, in his article called Japan and the international music industry highlights this reality.

Michael Graham states that “From Lady Gaga to Kanye West, there are not many modern pop artists that haven’t done “the Japan thing”. This says a lot about how Japan is perceived to the rest of the world. It’s modern, it’s cool, and it’s fun. If you are trying to show your fans that you are the newest biggest thing then you cannot go wrong with including Japanese style in your video’s and why not?”

“Japan not only brings us some of the latest fashion, technology and art but its music industry is one of the most sophisticated and cutting edge in the world.”

Michael Graham continues by stating that “This trend in music and Japan continues to be ever more present in modern music and does not show any signs of going away. You can look back at earlier artists such as Gwen Stefani because her music videos were covered in Japanese art and style. Gwen Stefani even brought out a clothing range inspired by Japanese clothing and her backing dancers were the Harajuku Girls. Therefore she could not have been anymore Japanese if she had tried.”

“The list seems to be endless of videos or artists that use Japan for style and image and it looks set to continue. I for one cannot get enough of it!”

Therefore, the fashion scene in Tokyo is very potent and the same applies to modern Japanese culture which is making headway internationally and other famous musicians likeCourtney Love simply adore Tokyo fashion.

Aoyama and Omotesando provide sophisticated fashion and both places are full of chic and style because you have endless exquisite boutiques to visit. At the same time, it is clear that architecture is important and this provides the icing on top of the cake because you can feel the passion, creativity and the buildings match the crème de la crème fashion which is provided by both international and Japanese fashion companies in these two districts of Tokyo.

The energy of exquisite fashion and individualistic fashion designers can be felt through the entire area which links Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku and Shibuya. In many ways Omotesando represents all the beauty of this area because it links high quality fashion companies with independent and stylish boutiques and in the backstreets you can find “street fashion.”

Harajuku and Shibuya are global names for the younger international generation and like Michael Graham commented Gwen Stefani was inspired by Japan and her backing dancers were called the Harajuku Girls. Harajuku, therefore, is a major pulling power and the name sells itself.

The independent nature and creative spirit of companies like 6%DOKIDOKI means that the culture of Tokyo is influencing the younger generation in cities like London, Paris, New York and a host of other major cities. Therefore, kawaii culture, cosplay, Dolly-kei, fantasy fashion, Visual kei, Lolita and other trends are changing the image of Japan and independent companies like 6%DOKIDOKI, Grimoire, Macaronic, Candy and others are spreading a unique and distinctive fashion scene.

Internationally famous designers like Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto provided a strong image for Japanese fashion and their energy was noticeable in the 1980s and onwards. Yet younger designers and famous individuals are changing the evolving fashion scene and Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Sebastian Masuda, Rei Kawakubo, Nobu Kitamura, Junya Watanabe, Takashi Aoki, Tsumori Chisato, Yoshie Itabashi, Kuniko Kato, Chiharu Kikuchi, and others, are all maintaining the freshness of fashion in Japan alongside companies like Grimoire and Candy.

Fashion is not about famous individuals it is about new vibes, new trends, keeping a fresh outlook and not remaining static. Therefore, Issey Miyake, Sebastian Masuda, Yohji Yamamoto, Takashi Aoki, and other fantastic designers add their own individual spark and energy. This spark in turn reaches far and wide and continues to draw in new designers who constantly maintain the freshness of fashion in Japan. Also, every so often unique designers emerge like Sebastian Masuda and they come along and bring a new angle and edge and each individual designer compliments the entire fashion industry.

Sebastian Masuda

6%DOKIDOKI, Candy, Grimoire, Macaronic, Metamorphose temps de fille, Alice and the Pirates, and other unique fashion companies are maintaining a bright spark. This energy can be felt internationally because the energetic vibe that they are creating is enabling Tokyo fashion to reach out to the international community.

Nobu Kitamura and Gwen Stefani sum up the nature of fashion because while Nobu Kitamura and Hysteric Glamour was influenced heavily by American culture. The singer Gwen Stefani is fascinated by Japanese culture and in her song she sang “My boyfriend bought me a Hysteric Glamour shirt. They’re hard to find in the States, got me feeling couture.”

The influence of cross cultural fashion and unique fashion companies can be found throughout Tokyo. Therefore, irrespective if you are an avid fan of Tracy Reese, Hysteric Glamour, Prada, SmackyGlam, Grimoire, Metamorphose temps de fille, 6%Dokidoki, Comme des Garcons, Macaronic, Alice and the Pirates, 10 Corso Como, L’eclaireur, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Candy, Artisan, Loveless, Stella McCartney, Mark Jacobs, Bathing Ape and many other amazing fashion companies, the simple fact is that you have choice in abundance in Tokyo.

In another article I wrote about fashion I stated that “Kawaii culture in Tokyo goes back several decades but this unique style which belongs to Japan continues to develop and modify. 6%DOKIDOKI is part and parcel of kawaii culture and the ongoing vibrancy of this unique style. However, Sebastian Masuda does not pertain to any single style because he is a creator and styles come from 6%DOKIDOKI. Therefore, Sebastian Masuda is not a follower of fashion but he is a rare creator of fashion and styles.”

Therefore, it matters not what the fashion label is because fashion for some companies can never be fully pinned down because they are always evolving.

Tokyo is set to continue and prosper in the fashion sector and the international image will also grow because of the vibrant nature of modern Japan. Therefore, the magnet of Tokyo will continue to attract younger generations from all over the world who love fashion and this dynamic and creative city will continue to lead and inspire.